Patrick Vieira

Patrick Viera has revealed that he is very impressed to see the progress made by the youngsters in Manchester City's academy. The Frenchman is happy to continue his twin role of impressing Roberto Mancini enough to get into the team and acting as an information point for the starlets. Speaking from the Manchester City Hospitality lounge, Vieira praised the kids.

ITV have unveiled their full line-up of pundits for this summer's World Cup, which features current Manchester City player Patrick Vieira.

Regular ITV pundit Marcel Desailly will ensure that, alongside Vieira, there is a substantial French presence within the team.

Presenting duties for the channel will fall to BBC ship-jumper Adrian Chiles while long-time ITV anchor Matt Smith will host some games and the regular highlights shows.

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira believes he should have left Arsenal for Real Madrid, rather than moving to Italy to join Juventus in 2005.

The Frenchman enjoyed nine seasons with the Gunners, during which time he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Vieira has revealed now though that he should have joined the Spainish giants when given the opportunity at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

Roberto Mancini hopes to have Emmanuel Adebayor available for the second leg of Manchester City’s Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Mancini said: “Patrick is not fit yet, but I think it is better for us and for him to go when he is ready. I think it will be one week or 10 days. It’s better that we don’t risk him, though, because we want Patrick to play until the end of the season.

“When Patrick comes back and plays I want him to play for 20 games. That’s what is important for us.”

PATRICK VIEIRA reckons he is a better player now than he was when he quit Arsenal four-and-a-half years ago.

The France midfielder will make his Manchester City debut against Blackburn at Eastlands tomorrow providing he recovers from a niggling calf injury picked up in his final game for Inter Milan last week.

The former Gunners captain found it tough to impress Jose Mourinho in Italy, and some critics say the 33-year-old's best days are behind him.

Manchester City have completed the signing of France midfielder Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan.

The 33-year-old passed a medical on Thursday and has signed a six-month contract at Eastlands with the option of a further year.

Vieira becomes Roberto Mancini's first signing as City boss. Mancini told City's website: "Patrick is a world class midfielder with a winner's mentality and will fit into this group very well."

Patrick Vieira's shock move to Manchester City went through even though he failed a medical - and the French veteran will have to prove his fitness to get a long-term deal.

Vieira had to accept a six-month contract, with an extra year if he stays injury-free, as Eastlands chief Roberto Mancini (below) struggled to get his first capture over the line. City put former Arsenal star Vieira through extensive checks and were concerned about a calf problem, which forced him to miss last night's game at Everton.